Desert Trip, Weekend Two: Why try to change it now?

What an exciting past days it's been for Bob Dyan fans. The two most satisfyingly diversified concerts in three years, playing at the Desert Trip festival in Indio. And on top of it all the Nobel Prize in literature in between. Dylan still easily manages to surprise us all. Just like the Rolling Stones it seems like he's bound to play for even more generations until eternity.

In case you missed it, here's the first weekend's performance of Dylan at Desert Trip. The second time around the audience experienced pretty much the same show once more. Perfectly fine, considering the elaborated song selection and location. The casual listener probably didn't even notice, but three details made a difference to the considerate fan in comparison to the first weekend.

First, where's the hat? Dylan hardly ever played without his beloved hat in recent years. So it came as a little surprise seeing his hairdo in all its wildness again. And – did we see a naked body underneath that jacket of his? Who needs a shirt anyway, being a Rock star playing in the desert? Bob dressed Iggy-style. Awesome.

Apart from his outfit, the two encores were the only variation. And it couldn't have been a better one. For the first time in three years Dylan performed the greatest song in Rock history (© Rolling Stone Magazine) again, "Like a Rolling Stone". Just in time before the Rolling Stones were about to enter the stage. No coincidence, just as well as chosing the last song of his final performance at the festival, obviously for its title: "Why Try to Change Me Now", the only song off his two "Sinatra"-cover albums. It's not the classic concert finale, but playing it shortly after having received the Nobel Prize it's a statement. And that's why he chose to play it.

Setlist:

Rainy Day Women #12 & 35


Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right


Highway 61 Revisited


It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue


High Water (For Charley Patton)


Simple Twist Of Fate


Early Roman Kings


Love Sick


Tangled Up In Blue


Lonesome Day Blues


Make You Feel My Love


Pay In Blood


Desolation Row


Soon After Midnight


Ballad Of A Thin Man


Encore 1: Like A Rolling Stone


Encore 2: Why Try To Change Me Now


Bob Dylan & his Band:
Bob Dylan - guitar, piano, harp
Tony Garnier - bass
George Recile - drums
Stu Kimball - rhythm guitar, maracas
Charlie Sexton - lead guitar
Donnie Herron - violin, banjo, electric mandolin, pedal steel, lap steel

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